I recently came back from my first trip to Barcelona where I stayed in the heart of the old town to facilitate logistics. The fastest way to travel around the city is to rent a scooter, but if you don’t feel comfortable doing so, you can also use public transport, which is very convenient.

Here's a first glimpse at some activities we did, and which I highly recommend. You'll see that three of them include amazing views of the city!

Sagrada Familia

This place should definitely be #1 on your list. It's Gaudi's masterpiece, and can be visited really easily if you book your tickets online! In fact, you can even choose at what particular time you would like to visit. Don't forget to do it, otherwise you could wait for hours before entering the basilica. This amazing place is still under construction, and should be finished by 2026. 

El Borne - La Ribera

This place is in fact a whole district of the Old Town, and that's where we stayed. Most of the tiny streets are pedestrian which is very convenient. I would suggest just walking around and snapping some photos. You'll discover some hidden tapas bars, and vintage shops. This neighborhood also contains some amazing architecture and monuments including: Santa Maria del Mar Church, Palau de la Música Catalana, Arc de Triomf, etc.

Mount Tibidabo

This place is the highest mountain surrounding Barcelona, and on top of it there is a beautiful church, the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as well as an amusement park. Weird mix, I agree, but what a view! The two mixed together looks quite good, and I felt like I was in a movie the whole time. There is some fresh air at the top of the mountain, and you can purchase a pass for the amusement park and get the best view in town by climbing on the bascule tower. So worth it!

Bunkers del Carmel

The "bunker" will give you another stunning view on the city. I would suggest going there before sunset with a bottle of wine and a picnic. Lots of young people are chilling there to watch the sunset. There is no entrance fee!

Parc Güell

This place is very close to Bunkers del Carmel, so I would recommend doing both within the same day. Definitely purchase your ticket to the monumental zone in advance (online), and take the guided tour otherwise this place, and Gaudi's work in general, might not make sense if you’re a newbie like me! I really enjoyed what our tour guide explained us, and the fact that they have a maximum number of visitors that they let in every hour. That way it was not too crowded.

Barceloneta

This area is basically where the main beach is located, and it's gorgeous. I like that the beach is so close to the city centre. If you go in the morning, it's usually less crowded than in the afternoon and the lighting is beautiful. There is a long board walk where you can ride a bike if you wish, otherwise you can just enjoy the sun for a while!